HAIR | Marc Anthony Hydra Lock Collection

Press samples

I am always chasing moisture when it comes to my hair as it has always been so dry and coarse even before I started colouring it, but there has always been a fine line between hydration and losing what precious volume at the roots I have. This area is where the Marc Anthony Hydra Lock Collection took some figuring out for me because I felt like I just couldn't have it all. 

NAILS | Inspired by My June Ipsy Glam Bag #CBBxManiMonday

Press samples

I just got back home from a lovely facial with Dior at Holt Renfrew and I feel SO relaxed that I want to have a nap, but as I work the next five days in a row without my other manager, something tells me that I am going to feel like total crap by the time this week is over. Well, at least I will have pretty nails because I am really happy with how these "inspired by my Ipsy bag" nails turned out!

SHEET MASK | When Beauty Vegan "Simply When" Collection

Purchased by me

Recently, I was doing a little bit of shopping while waiting for a prescription at London Drugs and came across this collection of vegan When Beauty sheet masks. When Beauty makes a number of different sheet masks and this collection in particular is all Vegan Certified by the Korea Agency of Vegan Certification and Services Inc. I picked up all five masks in this collection and because the masks differed only very slightly from each other, I will just do some quick little summaries of the masks for you!  

BEAUTY | June 2024 Ipsy Glam Bag

 

Purchased by me

June's Ipsy Glam Bag came slightly delayed as according to tracking it was just hanging out in New Jersey for a few weeks before finally showing up at my door. There is another person in my building who also receives a monthly Glam Bag so I kind of use her deliveries as a guide for mine and when hers showed up 2 weeks before mine I got concerned. Ipsy customer service was quite reassuring and to use their exact wording "We got you!" when I expressed concern about my Glam Bag going missing!

NAILS | Dior Riviera Swatch #MidWeekMani

Press sample

I feel like I am still recovering from last week. I feel a bit more energized today, but this week has been a bit busy with family visiting (so good to see them after so long though!) and continually playing that game of catch up at work. Also, it's the end of July. We are HALFWAY through summer? How did THAT happen? Was I on vacation a whole month ago? Where has the time gone, seriously?!

SKINCARE | Naturium Has Arrived in Canada!

Press samples except the Niacinamide Cleansing Gelee

It has been ages since I have done a full routine skincare review, but the time has come and it's a GOOD one! Naturium has finally landed in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart and I am ALL OVER IT! I have almost a full routine here (I didn't receive the Vitamin C until recently) and I cannot get enough of it! I have been using Naturium for almost 2 months straight and I am ready to share my thoughts on a few of the products I was able to try!

NAILS | Bridgerton Nail Art #CBBxManiMonday

Press samples

I started watching the show Bridgerton for the FIRST time while I was on staycation a few weeks ago and I am HOOKED! I was so invested in Simon and Daphne that I thought I couldn't let them go for Season 2, but Anthony and Kate are now my FAVOURITE! I am almost done Season 3, but I have been resisting watching the last two episodes because I don't want it to be over! I even watched Queen Charlotte which was so sad, but sweet. Suffice it to say, I get the hype and now I want more!

SHEET MASK | Pixi Beauty Vitamin C Sheet Mask

Press sample

As expected, my last blog post was five days ago after I had said that I had a crazy week where I worked for the next five days. I am all "socialed out" after having two very long social days plus a not-so-nice one last week and I can tell you that on Saturday at work, I pretty much did paperwork in the office all day because I didn't have the energy to see anyone. The other manager also felt the same as we were both out together and we pretty much counted down the hours of the day until we could leave. I like the content of my job, but sometimes you just need a break. Luckily, for August I have asked to use one vacation day per week so I work 3-4 days for all of August which is really nice! It will give me a chance to enjoy the summer and take things a bit more slowly. 

NAILS | Bright Circles #CBBxManiMonday

Press samples

The only reason there is a timely CBBxManiMonday post today is because I am OFF. I know that I will want to die when I have to work the next 5 days in a row which I am not used to, but I hope that I will survive the week with grace. No matter how much I say to myself that I won't get tired, I'm pretty much dead by Day 4 and it's hard to find the energy to do anything outside of going to work. I honestly don't know how anyone has the energy to go out and see people or do anything extracurricular after work because I am always a zombie. I also have a summer charity gala this week so that will be a bit of a zap on my introverted social reserves, but I think it will be fun.

SHEET MASK | Genabelle PDRN Rejuvenating Mask and Glutathione Brightening Ampoule Mask

Gift with purchase

It is Sunday and I am SO HAPPY about it! I have been super busy at work in both good and bad ways and I have found myself longing for spending time at home and on my patio in the sun. I feel like life is too short and I wish I could work part-time just for the summer to enjoy the weather! 

MAKEUP | Dior Forever Glow Maximizers in Rosy and Pink

Purchased by me

I mentioned in a previous post that Dior is my go-to brand this year for beauty as well as fashion and jewelry as I rediscovered the brand while I was on stress leave earlier this year and realized just how goddamn nice their products were! Now, that I am spending my own money and not on a press list for the brand, I have enjoyed saving up and getting things that have caught my attention as well as honestly enjoying some VIP treatment because of my shift in spending. I have actually purchased quite a bit of brand new makeup from Dior in the last few months and happily playing with everything. One of the newest products that has been getting quite a bit of attention are the Dior Forever Glow Maximizers as they are the first Dior liquid highlighters!

NAILS | I've Got Stars In My Eyes #CBBxManiMonday

Sally Hansen nail polish is a press sample

I do not think I have done real nail art in awhile and I thought I would get to it this weekend, but with our Vancouver heatwave and us not getting AC yet, the thought of sitting and painting my nails while my bum sticks to my chair was just unthinkable this weekend. I also felt completely braindead in terms of inspiration, but I feel like it might be time to redo some old designs with different colours as summer brights are my favourite theme. I haven't done a beach theme in awhile, so maybe it's time I do that?

MAKEUP | Marcelle Lip Loving Matte Comfort Liquid Lipstick

Press samples

I know that as we get older, matte lip products are not the most flattering unless you have a little "lip plumper" help, but truthfully as much as I love glossy lips, they never last when I am at work because of the AC. They constantly dry out and I find myself having to reapply because they feel so dry, but generally the colour ends up vanishing because I get too busy with other things to go back to my office and reapply my lipgloss which has left me with sticking to matte lipsticks purely for longevity. As today is International Lipstick Day, it felt like the perfect opportunity to share the Marcelle Lip Loving Matte Comfort Liquid Lipsticks!

NAILS | Biosculpture Dust at Dusk Swatch #MidWeekMani

Press samples

Sigh, my staycation is over and what a beautiful week off it was! Beautiful weather and lots of Bridgerton! Having never seen the show before, I have watched seasons 1, 2, Queen Charlotte and now I am two episodes away from finishing season 3! It has been an amazing rollercoaster of emotions and drama and I want to rewatch everything once it's all over since I went through it so quickly! I thought I could not watch a new couple after Daphne and Simon, but Kanthony are my favourite!

SKINCARE | #OOTD Beauty Skincare Routine

This is a sponsored post.

I am always excited to try a new skincare routine and as I have gotten older, I am naturally a bit more selective about what I put on my face. While I enjoy my luxury skincare items, efficiency, ingredients and results are still the priority and when it comes to all three of these, Korean skincare always seems to knock it out of the park in addition to being affordable! I was recently introduced to #OOTD Beauty, a vegan Korean skincare brand, with products catering to all skin types and ingredients that are both kind to the skin and planet. Whether you are dealing with dry skin, oily skin, or looking for anti-aging solutions, #OOTD Beauty offers a range of products that deliver visible improvements.

NAILS | Trust Fund Beauty Gossip Mag Swatch #CBBxManiMonday

Press sample

Ok ok, so my excuse for posting my nails late this week is because it was ma birthday this weekend! I turned 41 yesterday and had a great time doing it! I feel a lot better about 41 than 40. 40 felt a little uncomfortable and I was scared, but this time around there was nothing but just looking forward to having the time to celebrate even though I was on my own on my actual birthday. It actually felt nice to have a birthday that was purely on my own terms. I could get up whenever, leave the house whenever, take a nap, have dinner whenever. It was great!